Drill pipe with replaceable tool joints

ABSTRACT

A drill string including tool assembly. The tool assembly includes a tool joint adapter and a tool joint coupled to the tool joint adapter through a faceted pin. The faceted pin includes a faceted fitting having a fitting face. The drill string includes a locking pin that extends through the tool joint adapter and tool joint. The locking pin extends through a locking pin groove of the fitting face. The locking pin locks the tool joint adapter and tool joint together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application61/534,359 filed 13 Sep. 2011, the entire contents of the disclosure ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to drill strings for drilling machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drilling machines are often used in the construction, mining and oil andgas industries to form a borehole through a formation with a drillstring. There are many different types of drilling machines for drillingthe borehole through the formation with the drill string. Some of thesedrilling machines are mobile and others are stationary. Examples ofmobile and stationary drilling machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,245,180, 3,692,123, 3,708,024, 3,778,940, 3,815,690, 3,833,072,3,905,168, 3,968,845, 3,992,831, 4,020,909, 4,295,758, 4,595,065,5,988,299, 6,672,410, 6,675,915, 7,325,634, 7,347,285 and 7,413,036, thecontents of all of which are incorporated by reference as though fullyset forth herein.

One type of drilling machine includes a tower supported by a deck, and arotary head movable along the tower. The drilling machine typicallyincludes a deck bushing which extends through the deck. More informationregarding deck bushings can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,943,302 and5,413,415, as well as U.S. Patent Application No. 20030155769, thecontents of all of which are incorporated by reference as though fullyset forth herein.

The drill string typically includes one or more drill pipes, and eachdrill pipe includes a drill pipe body connected to a tool joint. Thedrill string allows the borehole to be formed to a depth greater thanthe length of a single drill pipe body. A drill pipe body is typicallybetween about 20 feet to about 40 feet in length. Most drill pipe bodiesare manufactured from hollow and thick walled tubing of a metalmaterial, such as steel. Many different types of steel can be used, suchas mild steel or another steel alloy. More information regarding drillstrings and tool joints can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,279,850,4,380,347, 4,487,229, 4,492,666, and 5,709,416, the contents of all ofwhich are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

In a typical setup, male and female tool joints are positioned atopposed ends of the drill pipe body, wherein the male tool jointincludes a threaded pin and the female tool joint includes a threadedbox. It should be noted, however, that some drill pipes include maletool joints at opposed ends, and other drill pipes include female tooljoints at opposed end. The types of tool joints positioned at theopposed ends of the drill pipe body depends on many different factors,such as the type of drilling machine used to form the borehole, as wellas the drilling application.

The tool joints are typically precision machined from a metal material,such as steel or a steel allow. The tool joints can be integral piecesof the drill pipe body, or they can be separate pieces, which areconnected thereto in a repeatably removeable manner. For example, themale and female tool joints can be coupled to the drill pipe body in arepeatably removeable manner by using welding.

In one example, the threaded pin of a first drill pipe is threadinglyconnected to a threaded box of a second drill pipe, and the threaded boxof the first drill pipe is threadingly connected to a threaded pin of athird drill pipe. In this way, the first, second and third drill pipesare connected together.

In some examples, the threads of the pin and box are both right-handedthreads and, in other examples, the threads of the pin and box are bothleft-handed threads. More information regarding right- and left-handedthreads can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,769,381, 3,186,501, 3,645,328and 4,422,507, the contents of all of which are incorporated byreference as though fully set forth herein. More information regardingright- and left-handed threads can also be found in some of the otherreferences cited herein.

In operation, the drill string is connected to the rotary head andextends through the deck bushing. The drill string moves relative to thetower in response to movement of the rotary head. One of the drill pipesof the drill string is operatively connected to an earth bit. The drillstring provides fluid to the earth bit to facilitate its ability todrill through the formation. Hence, the drill string includes drillpipes, which are capable of being operatively connected to an earth bit.The borehole is formed in response to rotating the drill string andearth bit with the rotary head, and forcing them downwardly through thedeck bushing and formation in response to a load applied by the rotaryhead. Hence, the drill string not only transfers rotational torque,pull-down load, and pull-back load from the rotary head of the drill rigto the drill bit, but also extends the entire drill string to thedesigned drilling depth.

Drill strings are consumable components because they experiencesignificant wear and tear during use. In most instances, the tool jointexperiences the wear and tear, while the drill pipe body is stillusable. In these situations, the drill pipe is removed from the drillstring and the tool joint is replaced with another. In other situations,the drill pipe is removed from the drill string and the tool joint isrepaired so it can be used again.

However, it is difficult to remove the tool joint from the drill pipeon-site, and it is expensive to repair the tool joint on-site. Theon-site location is typically remote and does not include the necessaryfacilities, resources and technicians. Hence, the drill pipe and tooljoint are typically delivered to a machine shop, so that highly trainedtechnicians can remove the tool joint from the drill pipe and replacethe tool joint with another one, or repair the tool joint. Thecomponents are then shipped back to the remote location. However, it isvery expensive to deliver a drill pipe and tool joint, and the repairprocess is typically time consuming, costly and not very environmentallyfriendly in terms of fuel consumption for the shipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a drill pipe tool assembly,which includes replaceable tool joints. The novel features of theinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Theinvention will be best understood from the following description whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent by those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, wherein it is shown and described only the preferredembodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the bestmode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized,the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and itsseveral details are capable of modifications in various obviousrespects, without departing from the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in natureand not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearlyunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a is a side view of a drilling machine.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of a drill string, which includes drillpipes coupled together at a drill pipe interface.

FIG. 1 c is a cut-away side view of the drill string of FIG. 1 b in aninterface region, as shown in FIG. 1 b, wherein the interface regionincludes the drill pipe interface.

FIG. 1 d is a perspective view of one embodiment of the drill string ofFIG. 1 b.

FIG. 1 e is an exploded perspective view of a box region of the drillstring of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 1 f is an exploded perspective view of a pin region of the drillstring of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 2 a is a close-up perspective view of a threaded pin of the drillpipe of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 2 b is a cut-away side view of the drill pipe of FIG. 2 a takenalong a cut-line 2 b-2 b of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 a is a close-up perspective view of a threaded box of the otherdrill pipe of FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 3 b is a cut-away side view of the drill pipe of FIG. 3 a takenalong a cut-line 3 b-3 b of FIG. 3 a.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 c are perspective views of a tool joint adapter.

FIGS. 4 b and 4 d are opposed end views of the tool joint adapter ofFIGS. 4 a and 4 c.

FIG. 4 e is a cut-away side view of tool joint adapter of FIGS. 4 a and4 c taken along a cut-line which extends through locking pin internalholes.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are perspective views of a box tool joint.

FIG. 6 a is a cut-away side view of a drill string, which includes thetool joint adapter of FIGS. 4 a and 4 c and the box tool joint of FIGS.5 a and 5 b coupled together.

FIG. 6 b is a close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 6 c is another close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pin tool joint.

FIG. 8 a is a cut-away side view of a drill string, which includes thetool joint adapter of FIGS. 4 a and 4 c and the pin tool joint of FIG. 7coupled together.

FIG. 8 b is a close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8 c is another close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 8 a.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 c are perspective views of a box tool joint.

FIGS. 9 b and 9 d are opposed end views of box tool joint of FIGS. 9 aand 9 c.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are perspective views of a tool joint adapter.

FIG. 11 a is a perspective view of a pin tool joint.

FIG. 11 b is an end view of the pin tool joint of FIG. 11 a.

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b are perspective views of a tool joint adapter.

FIG. 13 a is a cut-away side view of a drill string, which includes thetool joint adapter of FIGS. 10 a and 10 b and the box tool joint ofFIGS. 9 a and 9 c coupled together.

FIG. 13 b is a close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 13 a.

FIG. 13 c is another close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 13 a.

FIG. 14 a is a cut-away side view of a drill string, which includes thetool joint adapter of FIGS. 10 a and 10 b and the pin tool joint of FIG.11 a coupled together.

FIG. 14 b is a close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 14 a.

FIG. 14 c is another close-up view of the drill string of FIG. 14 a.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b are perspective views of embodiments of lockingpins.

FIGS. 15 c and 15 d are perspective views of embodiments of locking pininternal holes for receiving the locking pins of FIGS. 15 a and 15 b,respectively.

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b are embodiments of faceted sockets, which includeone and two facets, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves a drill pipe tool assembly, which includesreplaceable tool joints. The replaceable tool joints may include a tooljoint adapter coupled to a drill pipe body, and a tool joint coupled tothe tool joint adapter through a faceted pin. The faceted pin mayinclude a faceted fitting having a fitting face. The tool assemblytypically includes a locking pin that extends through the tool jointadapter and tool joint, wherein the locking pin extends through alocking pin groove of the fitting face. The locking pin can lock thetool joint adapter and tool joint together. The locking pin can beremoved from the locking pin groove so that the tool joint adapter andtool joint are not locked together. In this way, the tool joint is areplaceable tool joint.

The tool joint adapter and tool joint may both included in a drillstring, wherein first and second drill pipes may be removeably coupledto the tool joint adapter and tool joint, respectively. The drill stringmay be used by a drilling machine to bore through a formation.

As mentioned above, drill strings are consumable components because theyexperience significant wear and tear during use. Embodiments of theinvention allow the tool joint to be easily removed from the drillstring and replaced. Hence, the drill string can be repaired on-site, sothe drill string does not need to be delivered to the machine shop forrepair, and then shipped back to the site.

The drill pipe tool assembly can be used with many different types ofdrilling machines, such as a rotary blast-hole drilling machine used inopen pit coal mining industries. The drill pipe tool assembly is usefulfor many different types of drilling applications, such as single-passand multi-pass soft formation drilling.

The drill pipe tool assembly disclosed herein can be used for rotaryblast-hole drilling in open pit coal mines where the ground is usuallyrelatively soft. Compared to the drilling operation in hard groundconditions, the drill pipe body can last much longer under the softformation drilling application since very slight wear and tear isgenerated on the drill pipe's outer body.

However, in either situation, the threads on both ends of the drill pipebodies usually experience wear and tear because the drill pipe needs tobe constantly coupled and uncoupled during regular drilling practices.Obviously, to prolong the service life and cut the drilling operationcost, in most existing cases, prematurely worn drill pipes are normallysent back to a professional shop for repairs as the main drill pipe bodyis still in pretty good condition and can be re-used. Rather thanshipping the drill pipe back and forth, the invention allows the endusers to refurbish the drill pipe at the remote drilling site.

FIG. 1 a is a side view of a drilling machine 300. It should be notedthat drilling machine 300 can be a stationary or mobile vehicle, buthere it is embodied as being a mobile vehicle for illustrative purposes.Some examples of different types of drilling machines are the DM-M3,PV-235, PV-270, PV-271, PV-275 and PV-351 drilling machines, which aremanufactured by Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions of Garland, Tex. Itshould be noted, however, that drilling machines are provided by manyother manufacturers.

In this embodiment, drilling machine 300 includes a platform 303, whichcarries a power pack 304 and operator's cab 305. It should be noted thatpower pack 304 includes many different components, such as a primemover, and is typically operated by an operator in operator's cab 305.

In this embodiment, drilling machine 300 includes a tower 302 which iscarried by platform 303. Tower 302 generally carries a feed cable system(not shown) coupled to a rotary head 307, wherein the feed cable systemallows rotary head 307 to move between raised and lowered positionsalong tower 302. The feed cable system moves rotary head 307 between theraised and lowered positions by moving it towards tower crown 302 b andtower base 302 a, respectively.

Rotary head 307 is moved between the raised and lowered positions toraise and lower, respectively, a drill string 100 through a borehole.Further, rotary head 307 is used to rotate drill string 100, whereindrill string 100 extends through tower 302 and platform 303. Drillstring 100 generally includes one or more drill pipes connected togetherin a well-known manner. The drill pipes of drill string 100 are capableof being coupled to an earth bit, such as a tri-cone rotary earth bit.In FIG. 1 a, drill string 100 is shown as including drill pipes 110 and120 for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of drill string 100, which includes drillpipes 110 and 120 coupled together at a drill pipe interface 101. FIG. 1c is a cut-away side view of drill string 100 in an interface region102, as shown in FIG. 1 b, wherein interface region 102 includes drillpipe interface 101. Drill string 100, as well as drill pipes 110 and 120extend longitudinally in a direction 105 and transversely in a direction106, wherein directions 105 and 106 are perpendicular to each other. Itshould be noted that direction 106 is sometimes referred to as a radialdirection. A region 109 is external to drill string 100. Drill string100 includes a pin region 103 at one end and a box region 104 at anopposed end.

In this embodiment, drill pipe 110 includes a drill pipe body 111 with adrill pipe internal hole 112 extending therethrough, as shown in FIG. 1c. Drill pipe 110 includes a threaded pin 119 which includes a threadedportion 113 having pin threads 114. Drill pipe internal hole 112 extendsthrough drill pipe body 111 and threaded portion 113, and allowsmaterial to flow therethrough. Drill pipe internal hole 112 extendslongitudinally along longitudinal direction 105, and transversely alongtransverse direction 106. Threaded pin 119 can be an integral piece ofdrill pipe body 111, or it can be a separate piece which is connectedthereto in a repeatably removeable manner. In some embodiments, threadedpin 119 is welded to drill pipe body 111.

In this embodiment, drill pipe 120 includes a drill pipe body 121 with adrill pipe internal hole 122 extending therethrough, as shown in FIG. 1c. In this embodiment, drill pipe 120 includes a threaded box 123 (FIG.1 c), which includes box threads 124. Threaded box 123 is coupled tothreaded pin 119 in response to coupling drill pipes 110 and 120together. In particular, pin threads 114 and box threads 124 arethreadingly coupled together in response to coupling drill pipes 110 and120 together. Drill pipe internal hole 122 extends through drill pipebody 121 and threaded box 123, and allows material to flow therethrough.Drill pipe internal hole 122 extends longitudinally along longitudinaldirection 105, and transversely along transverse direction 106. Threadedbox 123 can be an integral piece of drill pipe body 121, or it can be aseparate piece, which is connected thereto in a repeatably removeablemanner. In some embodiments, threaded box 123 is welded to drill pipebody 121.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, threaded pin 119 andthreaded box 123 both include right-handed threads. In the right-handedthread embodiments, pin threads 114 and box threads 124 are bothright-handed threads. In other embodiments, threaded pin 119 andthreaded box 123 both include left-handed threads. In the left-handedthread embodiments, pin threads 114 and box threads 124 are bothleft-handed threads.

FIG. 1 d is a perspective view of drill string 100, which includesreplaceable tool joints. In this embodiment, drill string 100 includes apin tool joint 170 coupled to one end of drill pipe 120 in box region104 and a box tool joint 150 coupled to one end of drill pipe 110 in pinregion 103. In this embodiment, drill string 100 includes male andfemale tool joints at opposed ends so it is capable of operating withthe Atlas Copco DM-M3 drill rig, which is used for blast hole drilling.

FIG. 1 e is an exploded view of an embodiment of a drill string 100 inpin region 103 of FIG. 1 d. In this embodiment, drill string 100includes a tool joint adapter 130 a coupled to drill rod body 111 ofdrill rod 110. Tool joint adapter 130 a can be coupled to drill rod body111 in many different ways. In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 130 ais coupled to drill rod body 111 in a repeatably removeable manner byusing welding.

In this embodiment, drill string 100 includes a box tool joint 150coupled to tool joint adapter 130 a. Box tool joint 150 can be coupledto tool joint adapter 130 a in many different ways. In this embodiment,box tool joint 150 is coupled to tool joint adapter 130 a in arepeatably removeable manner by using locking pins 270 a and 270 b, aswill be discussed in more detail below. Locking pins 270 a and 270 b areheld in place by using fasteners 271 a and 271 b, respectively. A sealis formed between box tool joint 150 and tool joint adapter 130 abecause box tool joint 150 and tool joint adapter 130 a are coupledtogether through sealing members 272 a and 273 a.

FIG. 1 f is an exploded view of drill string 100 in box region 104 ofFIG. 1 d. In this embodiment, drill string 100 includes a tool jointadapter 130 b coupled to drill rod body 121 of drill rod 120. Tool jointadapter 130 b can be coupled to drill rod body 121 in many differentways. In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 130 b is coupled to drillrod body 121 in a repeatably removeable manner by using welding.

In this embodiment, drill string 100 includes a pin tool joint 170coupled to tool joint adapter 130 b. Pin tool joint 170 can be coupledto tool joint adapter 130 b in many different ways. In this embodiment,pin tool joint 170 is coupled to tool joint adapter 130 b in arepeatably removeable manner by using locking pins 270 c and 270 d, aswill be discussed in more detail below. Locking pins 270 c and 270 d areheld in place by using fasteners 271 c and 271 d, respectively. A sealis formed between pin tool joint 170 and tool joint adapter 130 bbecause pin tool joint 170 and tool joint adapter 130 b are coupledtogether through sealing members 272 b and 273 b.

Drill string 100 includes three major sections, which are thereplaceable pin end tool joint, the main drill pipe body assembly, andthe replaceable box end tool joint. The main drill pipe body assembly ismade of the main drill pipe body and two tool joint adapters. The twotool joint adapters are shrink-fitted and welded into both ends of themain drill pipe body. Instead of being welded on the main drill pipe,both the replaceable pin end tool joint and the replaceable box end tooljoint are fixed onto the main drill pipe body assembly by locking pins.For example, in this embodiment, the tool joints are coupled to acorresponding drill pipe body by locking pins 270 a, 270 b, 270 c and270 d. The rotational torque is transmitted within the entire drillstring 100 by the polygon mating member, which also precisely controlsthe alignment of wrench flats on both tool joint ends. The tool jointadapter is welded into the main drill pipe body. The end user typicallycan only replace the tool joint when needed so that it is not necessaryto remove the tool joint adapter on-site.

In general, the tool joint represents the threaded end coupling of adrill pipe. To obtain the continuous connection in a drill string, thetool joint is threaded on one of the two ends. The tool joint with malethreads is also called the pin end tool joint, and the tool joint withfemale threads is called the box end tool joint. Based on therequirements of an actual drilling operation, the tool joints may havedifferent combinations, such as pin end tool joint and box end tooljoint, pin end tool joint and pin end tool joint, or box end tool jointand box end tool joint.

Correspondingly, the tool joints of drill string 100 can also be one ofthe combinations, for instance, replaceable pin end tool joint andreplaceable box end tool joint, replaceable pin end tool joint andreplaceable pin end tool joint, or replaceable box end tool joint andreplaceable box end tool joint.

Drill string 100 is compatible with the standard drill pipe served onthe drill rig. Except for the connecting method of the tool joints, allother critical features of the drill pipe, such as the sizes and typesof threads of the tool joints, drill pipe outer diameters,shoulder-to-shoulder distances, wrench flats, recesses, and so on, stayunchanged. In addition, drill string 100 is designed to withstand thesame volume and pressure of compressed air, rotational torque, pull-download, and pull-back load as standard drill strings.

Compared to known drill strings, the tool joint adapters of drill string100 are imported into the drill pipe assembly. One end of the tool jointadapter is machined as per the standardized weld specifications, such asthose available from Atlas Copco Thiessen. The opposed end is shaped asa polygon male connection with extended sealing cylinder. The polygonmale connection transfers the rotational torque to the mated replaceablepin end tool joint, which has the polygon female connection accordingly.Theoretically, the close running fit is designed for the mated polygonmembers. It not only ensures that the replaceable pin tool joint iseasily assembled and disassembled, but also reduces the slapping motionbetween the pin tool joint and the corresponding tool joint adapter.

The tool joint adapter can include other types of polygons, such asquadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, and so on, which may also be used toaccommodate for different sizes of drill pipes. However, the geometricpolygon within one drill pipe for the replaceable pin tool joint and thetool joint adapter should be matched to provide a good enough fit.

As mentioned above, the two tool joint adapters are shrink-fitted andwelded into each end of the main drill pipe body. During the weldingprocess, the welder has to make sure that one set of polygon flats onone tool joint adapter are aligned with one set of polygon flats on theopposed tool joint adapter of the entire main drill pipe body assembly.This allows the welder to assemble the drill pipe with the correctorientation of wrench flats from one end of the drill string to theopposed end of the drill string.

In a typical rotary blast-hole drilling application, drill string 100 ishollow so that compressed gas can be flowed through the drill string.The compressed gas may be used for cooling down the drill bit andblowing the cuttings out of the borehole. Hence, it may be important toreduce the likelihood that gas will undesirably leak through drillstring 100. To reduce the likelihood of a gas leak, sealing members 272a, 272 b, 273 a and 273 b may be included with drill string 100, asshown in FIGS. 1 e and 1 f. Sealing members 272 a, 272 b, 273 a and 273b can be of many different types, such as O-ring seals. The sealingmember typically includes a deformable material, such as rubber. As willbe discussed in more detail below, the sealing member may be engagedwith a polygon male connection of the tool joint adapter, which mayisolate the compressed air flowing out from both locking pin holes andthe mated shoulders between the replaceable pin end tool joint and thetool joint adapter.

FIG. 2 a is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of drill pipe110, which includes threaded pin 119, and FIG. 2 b is a cut-away sideview of the embodiment of drill pipe 110 taken along a cut-line 2 b-2 bof FIG. 2 a. It should be noted that cut-line 2 b-2 b extends intransverse direction 106. In this embodiment, threaded pin 119 includesa pin cylinder 115 which extends away from a pin shoulder 116, andthreaded portion 113 which includes pin threads 114. According to thisembodiment, pin cylinder 115 is proximate to pin shoulder 116 andthreaded portion 113 is away from pin shoulder 116. Threaded portion 113is spaced from pin shoulder 116 by pin cylinder 115. Pin cylinder 115 isbetween threaded portion 113 and pin shoulder 116. The embodiment of thepin cylinder 115 is a non-faceted fitting because it includes a curvedface with a continuous curvature, and does not include a flat face witha discontinuous curvature. Pin cylinder 115 extends through a threadedbox of another drill pipe, such as drill pipe 120, when the pin cylinderis coupled to drill pipe 110. It should be noted that drill pipe 110includes a threaded box at its opposed end in box region 104, as shownin FIG. 1 b. It should also be noted that threaded pin 119 typically isrepeatably removeable from drill pipe body 111. However, it is typicallydifficult to remove threaded pin 119 from drill pipe body 111, becausethe threaded pin is often welded in place and required specialized toolsto remove it. These specialized tools are often not available at remotedrilling locations. Pin cylinder 115 is a non-threaded portion ofthreaded pin 119. Hence, in FIG. 2 a, threaded pin 119 included threadedand non-threaded portions.

As shown in FIG. 2 b, drill pipe body 111 includes drill pipe internalhole 112, which extends therethrough. An outer dimension of drill pipebody 111 is denoted as distance d1. Distance d1 is a transversedistance, which extends along transverse direction 106 between a centerof drill pipe body 111 and the outer periphery of drill pipe body 111.In this embodiment, distance d1 corresponds to a diameter of drill pipebody 111 because drill pipe body 111 has a circular cross-sectionalshape, as shown in FIG. 2 b.

FIG. 3 a is a close-up perspective view of threaded box 123 of drillpipe 120, and FIG. 3 b is a cut-away side view of drill pipe 120 takenalong a cut-line 3 b-3 b of FIG. 3 a. It should be noted that cut-line 3b-3 b extends in transverse direction 106. It should also be noted thatdrill pipe 120 includes a threaded pin at its opposed end in pin region103, as shown in FIG. 1 b. Further, threaded box 123 is repeatablyremoveable from drill pipe body 121. However, it is typically difficultto remove threaded box 123 from drill pipe body 121, because thethreaded box is often welded in place and required specialized tools toremove it. As mentioned above, these specialized tools are often notavailable at remote drilling locations.

As shown in FIG. 3 b, drill pipe body 121 includes drill pipe internalhole 122, which extends therethrough. Box threads 124 face drill pipeinternal hole 122, and drill pipe internal hole 122 extends throughthreaded box 123. Drill pipe internal hole 122 allows material to flowthrough threaded box 123. An outer dimension of drill pipe body 121 isdenoted as distance d2. Distance d2 is a transverse distance whichextends along transverse direction 106 between a center of drill pipebody 121 and the outer periphery of drill pipe body 121. In thisembodiment, distance d2 corresponds to a diameter of drill pipe body 121because drill pipe body 121 has a circular cross-sectional shape, asshown in FIG. 3 b.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 c are perspective views of a tool joint adapter 130, andFIGS. 4 b and 4 d are end views of tool joint adapter 130 looking inopposed directions of 139 a and 139 b, respectively. In this embodiment,tool joint adapter 130 includes a tool joint adapter body 131 with atool joint adapter internal hole 132 extending therethrough. Tool jointadapter internal hole 132 allows material to flow through tool jointadapter body 131.

Tool joint adapter 130 may include a tool joint adapter fitting 134,which may extend away from a fitting shoulder 133. Tool joint adapterfitting 134 may be sized and shaped to be received by a drill pipe body,such as drill pipe bodies 111 and 121. Tool joint adapter fitting 134may be a non-faceted fitting because it may include a curved face with acontinuous curvature, and may not include a flat face with adiscontinuous curvature. It should be noted that tool joint adapterinternal hole 132 extends through tool joint adapter fitting 134 andallows material to flow therethrough.

Tool joint adapter fitting 134 can be received by the drill pipe bodyafter the threaded box or threaded pin has been removed therefrom. Insome embodiments, tool joint adapter 130 is welded to the drill pipebody. It should be noted that tool joint adapter 130 typically isrepeatably removeable from the drill pipe body. In this way, threadedpin 119 can be removed from the drill pipe body and replaced with tooljoint adapter 130. Further, threaded box 123 can be removed from thedrill pipe body and replaced with another tool joint adapter 130.However, as mentioned above, it is typically difficult to remove thesecomponents from a drill pipe body at a remote location becausespecialized tools are required.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 c and 4 d, tool joint adapter 130 may include afaceted socket 140, which may include a socket face. In this embodiment,faceted socket 140 includes opposed socket faces 141 and 142, opposedsocket faces 143 and 144, opposed socket faces 145 and 146 and opposedsocket faces 147 and 148. Socket faces 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147and 148 may extend through an annular socket face 149, and face tooljoint adapter internal hole 132. Annular socket face 149 may be opposedto fitting shoulder 133. In this way, faceted socket 140 faces tooljoint adapter internal hole 132, and tool joint adapter internal hole132 may extend through faceted socket 140 and socket face 149. Tooljoint adapter internal hole 132 extend may through faceted socket 140and allow material to flow therethrough.

It should also be noted that faceted socket 140 includes eight flatsocket faces in this embodiment for illustrative purposes. However, ingeneral, faceted socket 140 includes one or more flat socket faces.Embodiments of sockets which include one and two socket faces are shownin FIGS. 16 a and 16 b, respectively. It should be noted that socket 140is a faceted socket because it includes two faces with a discontinuouscurvature between them, as will be discussed in more detail presently,and does not include a curved face with a continuous curvature.

In this embodiment, socket faces 141 and 143 are at an angle relative toeach other so that the curvature of faceted socket 140 is discontinuousbetween them. Socket faces 143 and 145 are at an angle relative to eachother so that the curvature of faceted socket 140 is discontinuousbetween them. Socket faces 145 and 147 are at an angle relative to eachother so that the curvature of faceted socket 140 is discontinuousbetween them. Socket faces 147 and 142 are at an angle relative to eachother so that the curvature of faceted socket 140 is discontinuousbetween them. Socket faces 142 and 144 are at an angle relative to eachother so that the curvature of faceted socket 140 is discontinuousbetween them. Socket faces 144 and 146 are at an angle relative to eachother so that the curvature of faceted socket 140 is discontinuousbetween them. Socket faces 146 and 148 are at an angle relative to eachother so that the curvature of faceted socket 140 is discontinuousbetween them. In this way, socket 140 is a faceted socket. Otherconfigurations are also possible.

In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 130 includes a locking pininternal hole, which extends through tool joint adapter body 131. Ingeneral, tool joint adapter 130 includes one or more locking pininternal holes. In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 130 includes twolocking pin internal holes, which are denoted as locking pin internalholes 135 a and 135 b, as shown in FIG. 4 d. In this embodiment, lockingpin internal holes 135 a and 135 b are opposed to each other, whereinlocking pin internal holes 135 a and 135 b are proximate to socket faces141 and 142, respectively. In particular, locking pin internal holes 135a and 135 b extend through socket faces 141 and 142, respectively.Locking pin internal holes 135 a and 135 b open into tool joint adapterinternal hole 132.

In this embodiment, locking pin internal hole 135 a includes opposedlocking pin hole openings 137 a and 138 a, and a fastener opening 136 awhich extends through tool joint adapter body 31 and locking pininternal hole 135 a. In particular, according to this embodiment,fastener opening 136 a extends between an outer periphery of tool jointadapter body 131 and socket face 141. It should be noted that a portionof locking pin internal hole 135 a proximate to fastener opening 136 afaces tool joint adapter internal hole 132. The portion of locking pininternal hole 135 a that faces fastener opening 136 a opens into tooljoint adapter internal hole 132.

In this embodiment, locking pin internal hole 135 b includes opposedlocking pin hole openings 137 b and 138 b, and a fastener opening 136 bwhich extends through tool joint adapter body 131 and locking pininternal hole 135 b. In particular, fastener opening 136 b extendsbetween an outer periphery of tool joint adapter body 131 and socketface 142. It should be noted that a portion of locking pin internal hole135 b proximate to fastener opening 136 b faces tool joint adapterinternal hole 132. The portion of locking pin internal hole 135 b thatfaces fastener opening 136 b opens into tool joint adapter internal hole132.

FIG. 4 e is a cut-away side view of tool joint adapter 130 of FIGS. 4a-4 d taken along a cut-line which extends through locking pin internalholes 135 a and 135 b. The cut-line cuts through the middle plan oflocking pins 270 a and 270 b, wherein locking pins 270 a and 270 bextend through locking pin internal holes 135 a and 125 b, respectively.In this embodiment, locking pin internal holes 135 a and 135 b eachinclude half-moon grooves, which are sized and shaped to receivecorresponding locking pins 270 a and 270 b. Locking pin internal holes135 a and 135 b are milled out through the flats of the polygon maleconnection. Accordingly, the half-moon grooves on the replaceable pintool joint are drilled and tapped from the outer body of the tool joint.

One useful feature of this design is that locking pins 270 a and 270 bare secured in place during the drilling operation. This is usefulbecause it is undesirable to have a locking pin become unsecured duringdrilling operations because a portion of drill string 100 will becomedetached in the borehole. It is expensive and time consuming to retrievethe portion of the drill string from the borehole.

Locking pins 270 a and 270 b can be secured in many different ways. Forexample, in some embodiments, the locking pins and holes for the lockingpins are machined so that one end is smaller than the opposed end. Thisallows the locking pins to be put in and taken out only from the onelarger end of the locking hole.

In some embodiments, once the locking pins are installed in place,self-locking set screws are engaged into the middle drilled and tappedholes of the replaceable pin end tool joint and tightened firmly. Thisfeature restricts the locking pin from disengaging itself from thelarger side of the locking hole. In addition, the self-locking set screwmay prevent itself from backing off, which could be caused by drillingvibrations. For example, set screws with pelletized nylon inserts couldbe utilized. If the locking pin is unfixed, it could fall off from thedrill pipe assembly and cause an extremely serious accident. Manydifferent types of the self-locking set screws, for instance, thechemical additive type, the deflected or distorted thread type, and thematerial additive type, are suitable to secure the locking pins.

During drilling operation with common clockwise direction as indicatedin FIG. 4 e, a useful design is to avoid generating an extra force topush out the locking pins, the larger locking hole always rotates aheadof the smaller locking hole, which even creates the tendency to tightenthe locking pin in place.

In addition to the optimum locking pin designed above, there are variousways to fasten the replaceable pin end tool joint and the tool jointadapter together. The cylinder diameter of the locking pin can be onediameter from one end to another end. The hole for holding the lockingpin could be one size through its whole depth or can be machined so asone end is smaller than the opposed end. As another example, we caninstall the taper pin through the corresponding tapered hole, which ismade up from the tapered groove on the polygon male connection of thetool joint adapter and the tapered groove on the mated replaceable pinend tool joint.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are perspective views of an embodiment of a box tooljoint 150. In this embodiment, box tool joint 150 includes a box tooljoint body 151 with a box tool joint internal hole 152 extendingtherethrough. Box tool joint 150 includes a threaded box 153 having boxthreads 154 at one end and a faceted pin 158 at an opposed end. Boxthreads 154 face box tool joint internal hole 152. It should be notedthat box tool joint internal hole 152 extends through threaded box 153and faceted pin 158, and allows material to flow therethrough.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 158 includes a faceted fitting 160 thatextends outwardly from a pin shoulder 157. Faceted pin 158 may include asealing pin 155, wherein faceted fitting 160 is positioned proximate topin shoulder 157 and sealing pin 155 is positioned away from pinshoulder 157. Sealing pin 155 may be spaced from pin shoulder 157 byfaceted fitting 160. Faceted fitting 160 may be arranged between pinshoulder 157 and sealing pin 155. It should be noted that pin shoulder157 may face faceted fitting 160 and sealing pin 155, and may face awayfrom threaded box 153. It should also be noted that box tool jointinternal hole 152 may extend through faceted fitting 160 and sealing pin155.

Pin 155 may be a sealing pin because it may form a seal with anothercomponent, as will be discussed in more detail below. In thisembodiment, sealing pin 155 includes a seal groove extending annularlyaround it. The seal groove may receive a sealing member, such as anO-ring seal, wherein the sealing member forms a seal with anothercomponent. In this way, pin 155 may be a sealing pin. In thisembodiment, sealing pin 155 includes two seal grooves, denoted as sealgrooves 156 a and 156 b. In general, sealing pin 155 of the box tooljoint includes one or more seal grooves.

Fitting 160 may be a faceted fitting because it may include a face witha discontinuous curvature, and may not include a curved face with acontinuous curvature, as will be discussed in more detail presently.Faceted fitting 160 may include a fitting face. In this embodiment,faceted fitting 160 includes opposed fitting faces 161 and 162, opposedfitting faces 163 and 164, opposed fitting faces 165 and 166 and opposedfitting faces 167 and 168. It should be noted that faceted fitting 160includes eight fitting faces in this embodiment for illustrativepurposes. However, in general, faceted fitting 160 includes one or morefitting faces. The number of fitting faces of faceted fitting 160corresponds to the number of socket faces of faceted socket 140 so thatfaceted socket 140 can receive faceted fitting 160.

It should also be noted that fitting faces 161 and 163 may be at anangle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting160 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 163 and 165 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting160 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 165 and 167 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting160 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 167 and 162 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting160 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 162 and 164 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting160 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 164 and 166 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting160 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 166 and 168 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting160 is discontinuous between them. In this way, fitting 160 may be afaceted fitting.

In this embodiment, box tool joint 150 includes a locking pin groovethat extends through a fitting face of faceted fitting 160. In general,box tool joint 150 may include one or more locking pin grooves. In thisembodiment, box tool joint 150 includes two locking pin grooves, whichare denoted as locking pin grooves 169 a and 169 b. In this embodiment,locking pin grooves 169 a and 169 b are opposed to each other, whereinlocking pin grooves 169 a and 169 b are proximate to fitting faces 161and 162, respectively. In particular, locking pin grooves 169 a and 169b extend through fitting faces 161 and 162, respectively. Locking pingrooves 169 a and 169 b extend through fitting faces 161 and 162,respectively, so that locking pin grooves 169 a and 169 b face lockingpin internal holes 135 a and 135 b, respectively, when faceted socket140 receives faceted fitting 160, as will be discussed in more detailbelow.

It should be noted that locking pin groove 169 a may extend through aportion of fitting faces 163 and 168, as shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b,respectively. Further, locking pin groove 169 b may extend through aportion of fitting faces 167 and 164, as shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b,respectively. In this way, box tool joint 150 may include a locking pingroove that extends through faceted fittings.

FIG. 6 a is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of a drill string 100a that includes a tool assembly 108 a, wherein tool assembly 108 aincludes tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150 coupled together,and FIGS. 6 b and 6 c are close-up views of drill string 100 a of FIG. 6a. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, drill pipe 110 iscoupled to box tool joint 150. In particular, threaded pin 119 (FIG. 2a) is coupled to threaded box 153 (FIG. 5 b). Threaded pin 119 iscoupled to threaded box 153 so that pin threads 114 are threadinglyengaged with box threads 154 (FIG. 5 b).

Further, drill pipe 120 may be coupled to tool joint adapter 130. Inthis embodiment, threaded box 123 (FIG. 3 a) has been removed from drillpipe body 121 and replaced with tool joint adapter 130. In particular,threaded box 123 has been removed from drill pipe body 121 and tooljoint adapter fitting 134 is coupled to drill pipe body 121. Tool jointadapter fitting 134 may be fastened to drill pipe body 121, such as bywelding, so that a seal is formed therebetween.

It should be noted that drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 may be influid communication with each other through box tool joint 150 and tooljoint adapter 130. In particular, drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122may be in fluid communication with each other through tool joint adapterinternal hole 132 and box tool joint internal hole 152. In this way,material can flow between drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 throughtool joint adapter internal hole 132 and box tool joint internal hole152. As discussed in more detail above, tool joint adapter internal hole132 may extend through tool joint adapter 130, and box tool jointinternal hole 152 extends through box tool joint 150.

In this embodiment, sealing members 272 and 273 are coupled to sealingpin 155. In particular, sealing members 272 and 273 are carried bysealing pin 155 so they extend through seal grooves 156 a and 156 b,respectively, as shown in FIG. 6 c. Sealing members 272 and 273 can beof many different types, such as O-ring seals. It should be noted that,in some embodiments, tool joint adapter body 131 includes groovesopposed to seal grooves 156 a and 156 b. However, in other embodiments,such as the one indicated by an indication arrow 117 in FIG. 6 a, tooljoint adapter body 131 does not include grooves opposed to seal grooves156 a and 156 b.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 158 (FIG. 5 a) is extended through tooljoint adapter body 131. In particular, faceted fitting 160 and sealingpin 155 are extended through tool joint adapter internal hole 132 andannular socket face 149 (FIGS. 4 c, 4 d and 6 b). Sealing pin 155 isextended through tool joint adapter body 131 so that a seal is formed inresponse to sealing members 272 and 273 sealingly engaging an innerperiphery of tool joint adapter body 131.

Faceted fitting 160 (FIGS. 5 a and 5 b) may be extended through tooljoint adapter body 131 so that faceted fitting 160 faces socket face 140(FIGS. 4 c and 4 d). In particular, faceted fitting 160 may be extendedthrough tool joint adapter body 130 so that fitting faces 161, 162, 163,164, 165, 166, 167 and 168 face socket faces 141, 142, 143, 144, 145,146, 147 and 148, respectively. In this embodiment, fitting faces 161,162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167 and 168 engage socket faces 141, 142, 143,144, 145, 146, 147 and 148, respectively, so that the rotation of boxtool joint 150 relative to tool joint adapter 130 is restricted.

Furthermore, faceted fitting 160 may be extended through tool jointadapter body 131 so that locking pin grooves 169 a and 169 b (FIGS. 5 aand 5 b) face locking pin internal holes 135 a and 135 b (FIG. 4 d),respectively. Locking pin grooves 169 a and 169 b may face locking pininternal holes 135 a and 135 b, respectively, in response to fittingfaces 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167 and 168 facing socket faces 141,142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147 and 148, respectively.

In this embodiment, a locking pin 270 a may be extended through lockingpin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a. In someembodiments, locking pin 270 a may be extended through locking pininternal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a in response toextending the locking pin through locking pin hole opening 137 a. Insome embodiments, locking pin 270 a is extended through locking pininternal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a in response toextending it through locking pin hole opening 138 a.

The movement between tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extending through lockingpin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a.Locking pin 270 a may lock tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150together when the locking pin restricts movement of tool joint adapter130 and box tool joint 150 away from each other.

In this embodiment, a fastener 271 a extends through fastener opening136 a (FIGS. 4 c, 4 d, 6 b and 6 c). Fastener 271 a extends throughfastener opening 136 a and engages locking pin 270 a. Fastener 271 aengages locking pin 270 a to restrict its movement through locking pininternal hole 135 a. In this way, locking pin 270 a is less likely toundesirably move through locking pin hole openings 137 a and 138 a andout of locking pin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a. Themovement between tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150 may beless likely to be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a moving outof locking pin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a. Hence,it may be desirable to fasten locking pin 270 a in locking pin internalhole 135 a and locking pin groove 169 a. Fastener 271 a can be of manydifferent types, such as a set screw. As shown in FIG. 6 b, fastener 271a is sunk into tool joint adapter body 131 so that the fastener is lesslikely to be sheared off.

In this embodiment, a locking pin 270 b is extended through locking pininternal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 169 b. In some situations,locking pin 270 b is extended through locking pin internal hole 135 band locking pin groove 169 b in response to extending it through lockingpin hole opening 137 b. In some embodiments, locking pin 270 b isextended through locking pin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove169 b in response to extending it through locking pin hole opening 138b.

The movement between tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extending through lockingpin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 169 b. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 169 b.Locking pin 270 b may lock tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150together when the locking pin restricts the movement of tool jointadapter 130 and box tool joint 150 away from each other.

In this embodiment, a fastener 271 b extends through fastener opening136 b (FIGS. 4 d and 6 c). Fastener 271 b extends through fasteneropening 136 b and engages locking pin 270 b. Fastener 271 b engageslocking pin 270 b to restrict its movement through locking pin internalhole 135 b. In this way, locking pin 270 b is less likely to undesirablymove through locking pin hole openings 137 b and 138 b and out oflocking pin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 169 b. Themovement between tool joint adapter 130 and box tool joint 150 is lesslikely to be restricted in response to locking pin 270 b moving out oflocking pin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 169 b. Hence, itmay be desirable to fasten locking pin 270 b in locking pin internalhole 135 b and locking pin groove 169 b. Fastener 271 b can be of manydifferent types, such as a set screw. Fastener 271 b can be sunk intotool joint adapter body 131 so that it is less likely to be sheared off.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pin tool joint 170.In this embodiment, pin tool joint 170 includes a pin tool joint body171 with a pin tool joint internal hole 172 extending therethrough. Pintool joint 170 includes a threaded pin 179 at one end and a faceted pin198 at an opposed end. It should be noted that pin tool joint internalhole 172 extends through threaded pin 179 and faceted pin 198, andallows material to flow therethrough.

Threaded pin 179 may include a pin cylinder 175 that may extend awayfrom a pin shoulder 176, and a threaded pin 173 that may include pinthreads 174. Pin cylinder 175 may be proximate to pin shoulder 176 andthreaded pin 173 is away from pin shoulder 176. Threaded pin 173 isspaced from pin shoulder 176 by pin fitting 175. Pin cylinder 175 isbetween threaded pin 173 and pin shoulder 176. Pin cylinder 175 is anon-faceted fitting because it includes a curved face with a continuouscurvature, and does not include a flat face with a discontinuouscurvature. Pin cylinder 175 extends through a threaded box of anotherdrill pipe, such as drill pipe 120, when the pin cylinder is coupled todrill pipe 110. It should be noted that pin tool joint internal hole 172may extend through pin cylinder 175 and threaded pin 173.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 198 includes a faceted fitting 180 thatextends outwardly from a pin shoulder 177. Faceted pin 198 includes asealing pin 195, wherein faceted fitting 180 is positioned proximate topin shoulder 177 and sealing pin 195 is positioned away from pinshoulder 177. Sealing pin 195 is spaced from pin shoulder 177 by facetedfitting 180. Faceted fitting 180 is between pin shoulder 177 and sealingpin 195. It should be noted that pin shoulder 177 faces faceted fitting180 and sealing pin 195, and faces away from threaded pin 179. It shouldalso be noted that pin tool joint internal hole 172 extends throughfaceted fitting 180 and sealing pin 195, and allows material to flowtherethrough.

Pin 195 may be a sealing pin because it may form a seal with anothercomponent, as will be discussed in more detail below. In thisembodiment, sealing pin 195 includes a seal groove extending annularlyaround it. The seal groove receives a sealing member, such as an O-ringseal, wherein the sealing member forms a seal with another component. Inthis way, pin 195 is a sealing pin. In this embodiment, sealing pin 195includes two seal grooves, denoted as seal grooves 196 a and 196 b. Ingeneral, sealing pin 195 of the pin tool joint includes one or more sealgrooves.

Fitting 180 may be a faceted fitting because it may include two faceswith a discontinuous curvature between them, and may not include acurved face with a continuous curvature, as will be discussed in moredetail presently. Faceted fitting 180 may include a fitting face. Inthis embodiment, faceted fitting 180 includes opposed fitting faces 181and 182, opposed fitting faces 183 and 184, opposed fitting faces 185and 186 and opposed fitting faces 187 and 188. It should be noted thatfaceted fitting 180 includes eight fitting faces in this embodiment forillustrative purposes. However, in general, faceted fitting 180 includesone or more fitting faces. The number of fitting faces of facetedfitting 180 corresponds to the number of socket faces of faceted socket140 so that faceted socket 140 can receive faceted fitting 180.

It should also be noted that fitting faces 181 and 183 may be at anangle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting180 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 183 and 185 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting180 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 185 and 187 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting180 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 187 and 182 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting180 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 182 and 184 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting180 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 184 and 186 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting180 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 186 and 188 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting180 is discontinuous between them. In this way, fitting 180 is a facetedfitting.

In this embodiment, pin tool joint 170 includes a locking pin groovewhich extends through a fitting face of faceted fitting 180. In general,pin tool joint 170 includes one or more locking pin grooves. In thisembodiment, pin tool joint 170 includes two locking pin grooves, whichare denoted as locking pin grooves 189 a and 189 b. Also in thisembodiment, locking pin grooves 189 a and 189 b are opposed to eachother, wherein locking pin grooves 189 a and 189 b are proximate tofitting faces 181 and 182, respectively. In particular, locking pingrooves 189 a and 189 b extend through fitting faces 181 and 182,respectively. Locking pin grooves 189 a and 189 b extend through fittingfaces 181 and 182, respectively, so that locking pin grooves 189 a and189 b face locking pin internal holes 135 a and 135 b (FIG. 4 d),respectively, when faceted socket 140 receives faceted fitting 180, aswill be discussed in more detail below.

It should be noted that locking pin groove 189 a may extend through aportion of fitting faces 183 and 188. Further, locking pin groove 189 bmay extend through a portion of fitting faces 187 and 184. In this way,pin tool joint 170 may include a locking pin groove that extends throughfaceted fittings.

FIG. 8 a is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of a drill string 100b that includes a tool assembly 108 b, wherein tool assembly 108 bincludes tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170 coupled together,and FIGS. 8 b and 8 b are close-up views of drill string 100 b of FIG. 8a. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, drill pipe 120 iscoupled to pin tool joint 170. In particular, threaded pin 179 (FIG. 7)is coupled to threaded box 123 (FIG. 3 a). Threaded pin 179 is coupledto threaded box 123 so that pin threads 174 are threadingly engaged withbox threads 124 (FIG. 3 a).

Further, drill pipe 110 may be coupled to tool joint adapter 130. Inthis embodiment, threaded pin 119 (FIG. 2 a) has been removed from drillpipe body 111 and replaced with tool joint adapter 130. In particular,threaded pin 119 has been removed from drill pipe body 111 and tooljoint adapter fitting 134 is coupled to drill pipe body 111. Tool jointadapter fitting 134 is fastened to drill pipe body 111, such as bywelding, so that a seal is formed therebetween.

It should be noted that drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 may be influid communication with each other through pin tool joint 170 and tooljoint adapter 130. In particular, drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122may be in fluid communication with each other through tool joint adapterinternal hole 132 and pin tool joint internal hole 172. In this way,material can flow between drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 throughtool joint adapter internal hole 132 and pin tool joint internal hole172. As discussed in more detail above, tool joint adapter internal hole132 extends through tool joint adapter 130, and pin tool joint internalhole 172 extends through pin tool joint 170.

In this embodiment, sealing members 272 and 273 are coupled to sealingpin 195. In particular, sealing members 272 and 273 are carried bysealing pin 195 so they extend through seal grooves 196 b and 196 a,respectively, as shown in FIG. 8 c. Sealing members 272 and 273 can beof many different types, such as O-ring seals.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 198 (FIG. 7) is extended through tooljoint adapter body 131. In particular, faceted fitting 180 and sealingpin 195 are extended through tool joint adapter internal hole 132 andannular socket face 149 (FIGS. 4 c, 4 d and 8 b). Sealing pin 195 isextended through tool joint adapter body 131 so that a seal is formed inresponse to sealing members 272 and 273 sealingly engaging an innerperiphery of tool joint adapter body 131.

Faceted fitting 180 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is extendedthrough tool joint adapter body 131 so that faceted fitting 180 facessocket face 140 (FIGS. 4 c and 4 d). In particular, faceted fitting 180is extended through tool joint adapter body 130 so that fitting faces181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187 and 188 face socket faces 141, 142,143, 144, 145, 146, 147 and 148, respectively. In this embodiment,fitting faces 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187 and 188 engage socketfaces 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147 and 148, respectively, so thatthe rotation of pin tool joint 170 relative to tool joint adapter 130 isrestricted.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, faceted fitting 180 is extended throughtool joint adapter body 131 so that locking pin grooves 189 a and 189 b(FIG. 7) face locking pin internal holes 135 a and 135 b (FIG. 4 d),respectively. Locking pin grooves 189 a and 189 b face locking pininternal holes 135 a and 135 b, respectively, in response to fittingfaces 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187 and 188 facing socket faces 141,142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147 and 148, respectively.

In this embodiment, locking pin 270 a is extended through locking pininternal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 189 a. In some situations,locking pin 270 a is extended through locking pin internal hole 135 aand locking pin groove 189 a in response to extending it through lockingpin hole opening 137 a. In some situations, locking pin 270 a isextended through locking pin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove189 a in response to extending it through locking pin hole opening 138a.

The movement between tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extending through lockingpin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 189 a. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 189 a.Locking pin 270 a may lock tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170together when the locking pin restricts the movement of tool jointadapter 130 and pin tool joint 170 away from each other.

In this embodiment, fastener 271 a extends through fastener opening 136a (FIGS. 4 c, 4 d, 8 b and 8 c). Fastener 271 a extends through fasteneropening 136 a and engages locking pin 270 a. Fastener 271 a engageslocking pin 270 a to restrict its movement through locking pin internalhole 135 a. In this way, locking pin 270 a is less likely to undesirablymove through locking pin hole openings 137 a and 138 a and out oflocking pin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 189 a. Themovement between tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170 is lesslikely to be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a moving out oflocking pin internal hole 135 a and locking pin groove 189 a. Hence, itis desirable to fasten locking pin 270 a in locking pin internal hole135 a and locking pin groove 189 a. Fastener 271 a can be of manydifferent types, such as a set screw. As shown in FIG. 8 b, fastener 271a is sunk into tool joint adapter body 131 so that it is less likely tobe sheared off.

In this embodiment, locking pin 270 b is extended through locking pininternal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 189 b. In some situations,locking pin 270 b is extended through locking pin internal hole 135 band locking pin groove 189 b in response to extending the locking pinthrough locking pin hole opening 137 b. In some situations, locking pin270 b is extended through locking pin internal hole 135 b and lockingpin groove 189 b in response to extending it through locking pin holeopening 138 b.

The movement between tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extending through lockingpin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 189 b. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 189 b.Locking pin 270 b may lock tool joint adapter 130 and pin tool joint 170together when it restricts the movement of tool joint adapter 130 andpin tool joint 170 away from each other.

In this embodiment, fastener 271 b extends through fastener opening 136b (FIGS. 4 d and 8 c). Fastener 271 b extends through fastener opening136 b and engages locking pin 270 b. Fastener 271 b engages locking pin270 b to restrict movement of the locking pin through locking pininternal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 189 b. In this way, lockingpin 270 b may be less likely to undesirably move through locking pinhole openings 137 b and 138 b and out of locking pin internal hole 135 band locking pin groove 189 b. The movement between tool joint adapter130 and pin tool joint 170 is less likely to be restricted in responseto locking pin 270 b moving out of locking pin internal hole 135 b andlocking pin groove 189 b. Hence, it may be desirable to fasten lockingpin 270 b in locking pin internal hole 135 b and locking pin groove 169b. Fastener 271 b can be of many different types, such as a set screw.Fastener 271 b can be sunk into tool joint adapter body 131 so that itis less likely to be sheared off.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 c are perspective views of a box tool joint 200, andFIGS. 9 b and 9 d are end views of box tool joint 200 looking in opposeddirections of 209 a and 209 b, respectively. In this embodiment, boxtool joint 200 includes a box tool joint body 201 with a box tool jointinternal hole 202 extending therethrough. Tool joint adapter internalhole 202 allows material to flow through box tool joint body 201. Boxtool joint 200 includes a threaded box 203 at one end and a facetedsocket 210 at an opposed end. It should be noted that box tool jointinternal hole 202 extends through threaded box 203 and faceted socket210, and allows material to flow therethrough. Threaded box 203 includesbox threads 204, which face box tool joint internal hole 202.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 c and 9 d, box tool joint 200 may include afaceted socket 210, which includes a socket face. In this embodiment,faceted socket 210 includes opposed socket faces 211 and 212, opposedsocket faces 213 and 214, opposed socket faces 215 and 216 and opposedsocket faces 217 and 218. Socket faces 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217and 218 extend through an annular socket face 219, and face box tooljoint internal hole 202. It should also be noted that according to thisembodiment, faceted socket 210 includes eight socket faces in thisembodiment for illustrative purposes. However, in general, facetedsocket 210 includes one or more socket faces. It should be noted thatsocket 210 is a faceted socket because it includes two faces with adiscontinuous curvature between them, as will be discussed in moredetail presently, and does not include a curved face with a continuouscurvature. Faceted socket 210 faces box tool joint internal hole 202,and box tool joint internal hole 202 extends through faceted socket 210and socket face 219, and allows material to flow therethrough.

Socket faces 211 and 213 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 210 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 213 and 215 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 210 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 215 and 217 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 210 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 217 and 212 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 210 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 212 and 214 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 210 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 214 and 216 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 210 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 216 and 218 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 210 may be discontinuous betweenthem. In this way, socket 210 may be a faceted socket.

In this embodiment, box tool joint 200 includes a locking pin internalhole that extends through box tool joint body 201. In general, box tooljoint 200 includes one or more locking pin internal holes. In thisembodiment, box tool joint 200 includes two locking pin internal holes,which are denoted as locking pin internal holes 225 a and 225 b, asshown in FIG. 9 d. In this embodiment, locking pin internal holes 225 aand 225 b are opposed to each other, wherein locking pin internal holes225 a and 225 b are proximate to socket faces 211 and 212, respectively.In particular, locking pin internal holes 225 a and 225 b extend throughsocket faces 211 and 212, respectively. Locking pin internal holes 225 aand 225 b open into box tool joint internal hole 202.

In this embodiment, locking pin internal hole 225 a includes opposedlocking pin hole openings 227 a and 228 a, and a fastener opening 226 athat extends through box tool joint body 201 and locking pin internalhole 225 a. In particular, fastener opening 226 a extends between anouter periphery of box tool joint body 201 and socket face 211. Itshould be noted that a portion of locking pin internal hole 225 aproximate to fastener opening 226 a faces box tool joint internal hole202. The portion of locking pin internal hole 225 a that faces fasteneropening 226 a opens into box tool joint internal hole 202.

In this embodiment, locking pin internal hole 225 b includes opposedlocking pin hole openings 227 b and 228 b, and a fastener opening 226 bwhich extends through box tool joint body 201 and locking pin internalhole 225 b. In particular, fastener opening 226 b extends between anouter periphery of box tool joint body 201 and socket face 212. Itshould be noted that a portion of locking pin internal hole 225 bproximate to fastener opening 226 b faces box tool joint internal hole202. The portion of locking pin internal hole 225 b that faces fasteneropening 226 b opens into box tool joint internal hole 202.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are perspective views of a tool joint adapter 230.In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 230 includes a tool joint adapterbody 231 with a tool joint adapter internal hole 232 extendingtherethrough. Tool joint adapter 230 includes a faceted pin 239 at oneend and a tool joint adapter fitting 234 at an opposed end. It should benoted that tool joint adapter internal hole 232 extends through facetedpin 239 and tool joint adapter fitting 234, and allows material to flowtherethrough.

Tool joint adapter fitting 234 may extends away from a fitting shoulder238. Tool joint adapter fitting 234 may be sized and shaped to bereceived by a drill pipe body, such as drill pipe bodies 111 and 121.Tool joint adapter fitting 234 may be a non-faceted fitting because itmay include a curved face with a continuous curvature, and may notinclude a flat face with a discontinuous curvature. It should be notedthat tool joint adapter internal hole 232 may extend through tool jointadapter fitting 234 and allows material to flow therethrough.

Tool joint adapter fitting 234 can be received by the drill pipe bodyafter the threaded box or threaded pin has been removed therefrom. Insome embodiments, tool joint adapter fitting 234 is welded to the drillpipe body. It should be noted that tool joint adapter 230 typically isrepeatably removeable from the drill pipe body. In this way, threadedpin 119 (FIG. 2 a) can be removed from the drill pipe body and replacedwith tool joint adapter 230. Further, threaded box 123 (FIG. 3 a) may beremoved from the drill pipe body and replaced with tool joint adapter230. However, as mentioned above, it is typically difficult to removethese components from a drill pipe body at a remote location becausespecialized tools are required.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 239 includes a faceted fitting 240 thatextends outwardly from a pin shoulder 237. Faceted pin 239 includes asealing pin 235, wherein faceted fitting 240 is positioned proximate topin shoulder 237 and sealing pin 235 is positioned away from pinshoulder 237. Sealing pin 235 is spaced from pin shoulder 237 by facetedfitting 240. Faceted fitting 240 is between pin shoulder 237 and sealingpin 235. It should be noted that pin shoulder 237 faces faceted fitting240 and sealing pin 235, and faces away from tool joint adapter fitting234. It should also be noted that tool joint adapter internal hole 232may extend through faceted fitting 240 and sealing pin 235. Further, pinshoulder 237 is opposed to fitting shoulder 238.

Pin 235 may be a sealing pin because it may form a seal with anothercomponent, as will be discussed in more detail below. In thisembodiment, sealing pin 235 may include a seal groove extendingannularly around it. The seal groove may receive a sealing member, suchas an O-ring seal, wherein the sealing member forms a seal with anothercomponent. In this way, pin 235 may be a sealing pin. In thisembodiment, sealing pin 235 may include two seal grooves, denoted asseal grooves 236 a and 236 b. In general, sealing pin 235 of the tooljoint adapter may include one or more seal grooves.

Fitting 240 may be a faceted fitting because it may include two faceswith a discontinuous curvature between them, and may not include acurved face with a continuous curvature, as will be discussed in moredetail presently. Faceted fitting 240 may include a fitting face. Inthis embodiment, faceted fitting 240 includes opposed fitting faces 241and 242, opposed fitting faces 243 and 244, opposed fitting faces 245and 246 and opposed fitting faces 247 and 248. It should be noted thatfaceted fitting 240 includes eight fitting faces in this embodiment forillustrative purposes. However, in general, faceted fitting 240 includesone or more fitting faces. The number of fitting faces of facetedfitting 240 corresponds to the number of socket faces of faceted socket210 so that faceted socket 210 can receive faceted fitting 240.

It should also be noted that fitting faces 241 and 243 may be at anangle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting240 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 243 and 245 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting240 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 245 and 247 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting240 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 247 and 242 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting240 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 242 and 244 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting240 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 244 and 246 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting240 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 246 and 248 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting240 is discontinuous between them. In this way, fitting 234 may be afaceted fitting.

In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 230 includes a locking pin groovethat extends through a fitting face of faceted fitting 240. In general,tool joint adapter 230 includes one or more locking pin grooves. In thisembodiment, tool joint adapter 230 includes two locking pin grooves,which are denoted as locking pin grooves 249 a and 249 b. In thisembodiment, locking pin grooves 249 a and 249 b are opposed to eachother, wherein locking pin grooves 249 a and 249 b are proximate tofitting faces 241 and 242, respectively. In particular, locking pingrooves 249 a and 249 b may extend through fitting faces 241 and 242,respectively. Locking pin grooves 249 a and 249 b extend through fittingfaces 241 and 242, respectively, so that locking pin grooves 249 a and249 b face locking pin internal holes 225 a and 225 b, respectively,when faceted socket 210 receives faceted fitting 240, as will bediscussed in more detail below.

It should be noted that locking pin groove 249 a may extend through aportion of fitting faces 243 and 248. Further, locking pin groove 249 bmay extend through a portion of fitting faces 247 and 244. In this way,tool joint adapter 230 may include a locking pin groove that extendsthrough faceted fittings.

FIG. 11 a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pin tool joint250, and FIG. 11 b is an end view of pin tool joint 250 in a direction279. In this embodiment, pin tool joint 250 includes a pin tool jointbody 251 with a pin tool joint internal hole 252 extending therethrough.Pin tool joint 250 includes a threaded pin 259 at one end and a facetedsocket 260 at an opposed end. It should be noted that pin tool jointinternal hole 252 extends through threaded pin 259 and faceted socket260, and allows material to flow therethrough.

Threaded pin 259 may include a pin cylinder 255 that extends away from apin shoulder 256, and a threaded pin 253 that includes pin threads 254.Pin cylinder 255 may be proximate to pin shoulder 256 and threaded pin253 may be away from pin shoulder 256. Threaded pin 253 may be spacedfrom pin shoulder 256 by pin cylinder 255. Pin cylinder 255 may bebetween threaded pin 253 and pin shoulder 256. Pin cylinder 255 may be anon-faceted fitting because it includes a curved face with a continuouscurvature, and does not include a flat face with a discontinuouscurvature. Pin cylinder 255 may extend through a threaded box of anotherdrill pipe, such as drill pipe 120, when it is coupled to drill pipe110. It should be noted that pin tool joint internal hole 252 may extendthrough pin cylinder 255 and threaded pin 253, and may allow material toflow therethrough.

As best seen in FIG. 11 b, faceted socket 260 may include a socket face.In this embodiment, faceted socket 260 includes opposed socket faces 261and 262, opposed socket faces 263 and 264, opposed socket faces 265 and266 and opposed socket faces 267 and 268. Socket faces 261, 262, 263,264, 265, 266, 267 and 268 may extend through an annular socket face269, and face pin tool joint internal hole 252. Annular socket face 269is opposed to fitting shoulder 253. In this way, faceted socket 260faces Pin tool joint internal hole 252, and pin tool joint internal hole252 extends through faceted socket 260 and socket face 269. Pin tooljoint internal hole 252 may extend through faceted socket 260 and allowsmaterial to flow therethrough.

It should also be noted that faceted socket 260 includes eight socketfaces in this embodiment for illustrative purposes. However, in general,faceted socket 260 may include one or more socket faces. It should benoted that socket 260 is a faceted socket because it includes two faceswith a discontinuous curvature between them, as will be discussed inmore detail presently, and does not include a curved face with acontinuous curvature.

Socket faces 261 and 263 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 260 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 263 and 265 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 260 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 265 and 267 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 260 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 267 and 262 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 260 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 262 and 264 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 260 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 264 and 266 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 260 is discontinuous between them.Socket faces 266 and 268 may be at an angle relative to each other sothat the curvature of faceted socket 260 is discontinuous between them.In this way, faceted socket 260 is a faceted socket.

In this embodiment, pin tool joint 250 includes a locking pin internalhole that extends through pin tool joint body 251. In general, pin tooljoint 250 includes one or more locking pin internal holes. In thisembodiment, pin tool joint 250 includes two locking pin internal holes,which are denoted as locking pin internal holes 275 a and 275 b, asshown in FIG. 4 d. In this embodiment, locking pin internal holes 275 aand 275 b are opposed to each other, wherein locking pin internal holes275 a and 275 b are proximate to socket faces 261 and 262, respectively.In particular, locking pin internal holes 275 a and 275 b may extendthrough socket faces 261 and 262, respectively. Locking pin internalholes 275 a and 275 b may open into pin tool joint internal hole 252.

In this embodiment, locking pin internal hole 275 a includes opposedlocking pin hole openings 277 a and 278 a, and a fastener opening 276 athat extends through pin tool joint body 251 and locking pin internalhole 275 a. In particular, fastener opening 276 a may extend between anouter periphery of pin tool joint body 251 and socket face 261. Itshould be noted that a portion of locking pin internal hole 275 aproximate to fastener opening 276 a faces pin tool joint internal hole252. The portion of locking pin internal hole 275 a that faces fasteneropening 276 a may open into pin tool joint internal hole 252.

In this embodiment, locking pin internal hole 275 b includes opposedlocking pin hole openings 277 b and 278 b, and a fastener opening 276 bthat extends through pin tool joint body 251 and locking pin internalhole 275 b. In particular, according to this embodiment, fasteneropening 276 b extends between an outer periphery of pin tool joint body251 and socket face 262. It should be noted that a portion of lockingpin internal hole 275 b proximate to fastener opening 276 b may facespin tool joint internal hole 252. The portion of locking pin internalhole 275 b that faces fastener opening 276 b may open into pin tooljoint internal hole 252.

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b are perspective views of an embodiment of a tooljoint adapter 280. In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 280 includes atool joint adapter body 281 with a tool joint adapter channel 282extending therethrough. Tool joint adapter 280 includes a faceted pin289 at one end and a tool joint adapter fitting 284 at an opposed end.It should be noted that tool joint adapter channel 282 may extendthrough faceted pin 289 and tool joint adapter fitting 284, and allowsmaterial to flow therethrough.

Tool joint adapter fitting 284 may extend away from a fitting shoulder288. Tool joint adapter fitting 284 may be sized and shaped to bereceived by a drill rod body, such as drill rod bodies 111 and 121. Tooljoint adapter fitting 284 is a non-faceted fitting because it includes acurved face with a continuous curvature, and does not include a flatface with a discontinuous curvature. It should be noted that tool jointadapter channel 282 may extend through tool joint adapter fitting 284,and may allow material to flow therethrough.

Tool joint adapter fitting 284 can be received by the drill rod bodyafter the threaded box or threaded pin has been removed therefrom. Insome embodiments, tool joint adapter fitting 284 is welded to the drillrod body. It should be noted that tool joint adapter 280 may berepeatably removeable from the drill rod body. In this way, threaded pin119 (FIG. 2 a) can be removed from the drill rod body and replaced withtool joint adapter 280. Further, threaded box 123 (FIG. 3 a) can beremoved from the drill rod body and replaced with tool joint adapter280.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 289 includes a faceted fitting 290 thatextends outwardly from a pin shoulder 287. Faceted pin 289 includes asealing pin 285, wherein faceted fitting 290 is positioned proximate topin shoulder 287 and sealing pin 285 is positioned away from pinshoulder 287. Sealing pin 285 is spaced from pin shoulder 287 by facetedfitting 290. Faceted fitting 290 is between pin shoulder 287 and sealingpin 285. It should be noted that pin shoulder 287 faces faceted fitting290 and sealing pin 285, and faces away from tool joint adapter fitting284. It should also be noted that tool joint adapter channel 282 extendsthrough faceted fitting 290 and sealing pin 285. Further, pin shoulder287 is opposed to fitting shoulder 288.

Pin 285 is a sealing pin because is forms a seal with another component,as will be discussed in more detail below. In this embodiment, sealingpin 285 includes a seal groove extending annularly around it. The sealgroove receives a sealing member, such as an O-ring seal, wherein thesealing member forms a seal with another component. In this way, pin 285is a sealing pin. In this embodiment, sealing pin 285 includes two sealgrooves, denoted as seal grooves 285 a and 285 b. In general, box jointsealing pin 235 includes one or more seal grooves.

This embodiment of the fitting 290 is a faceted fitting because itincludes two faces with a discontinuous curvature between them, and doesnot include a curved face with a continuous curvature, as will bediscussed in more detail presently. Faceted fitting 290 includes afitting face. In this embodiment, faceted fitting 290 includes opposedfitting faces 291 and 292, opposed fitting faces 293 and 294, opposedfitting faces 295 and 296 and opposed fitting faces 297 and 298. Itshould be noted that faceted fitting 290 includes eight fitting faces inthis embodiment for illustrative purposes. However, in general, facetedfitting 290 includes one or more fitting faces. The number of fittingfaces of faceted fitting 290 corresponds to the number of socket facesof faceted socket 260 so that faceted socket 260 can receive facetedfitting 240.

It should also be noted that fitting faces 291 and 293 may be at anangle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting290 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 293 and 295 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting290 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 295 and 297 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting290 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 297 and 292 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting290 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 292 and 294 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting290 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 294 and 296 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting290 is discontinuous between them. Fitting faces 296 and 298 may be atan angle relative to each other so that the curvature of faceted fitting290 is discontinuous between them. In this way, fitting 290 may be afaceted fitting.

In this embodiment, tool joint adapter 280 includes a dowel pin groovethat extends through a fitting face of faceted fitting 283. In general,tool joint adapter 280 may includes one or more dowel pin grooves. Inthis embodiment, tool joint adapter 280 includes two dowel pin grooves,which are denoted as dowel pin grooves 299 a and 299 b. In thisembodiment, dowel pin grooves 299 a and 299 b are opposed to each other,wherein dowel pin grooves 299 a and 299 b are proximate to fitting faces291 and 292, respectively. In particular, dowel pin grooves 249 a and249 b extend through fitting faces 291 and 292, respectively. Dowel pingrooves 299 a and 299 b extend through fitting faces 291 and 292,respectively, so that dowel pin grooves 299 a and 299 b face dowel pinchannels 275 a and 275 b, respectively, when faceted socket 260 receivesfaceted fitting 240, as will be discussed in more detail below.

It should be noted that dowel pin groove 299 a may extend through aportion of fitting faces 293 and 298. Further, dowel pin groove 299 bextends through a portion of fitting faces 297 and 294. In this way,tool joint adapter 280 includes a dowel pin groove that extends throughfaceted fittings.

FIG. 13 a is a cut-away side view of a drill string 100 c that includesa tool assembly 108 c, wherein tool assembly 108 c includes tool jointadapter 230 and box tool joint 200 coupled together, and FIGS. 13 b and13 b are close-up views of drill string 100 c of FIG. 13 a. It should benoted that, in this embodiment, drill pipe 110 is coupled to box tooljoint 200. In particular, threaded pin 119 (FIG. 2 a) is coupled tothreaded box 203 (FIG. 9 a). Threaded pin 119 is coupled to threaded box203 so that pin threads 114 are threadingly engaged with box threads204.

Furthermore, drill pipe 120 may be coupled to tool joint adapter 230. Inthis embodiment, threaded box 123 (FIG. 3 a) has been removed from drillpipe body 121 and replaced with tool joint adapter 230. In particular,threaded box 123 has been removed from drill pipe body 121 and tooljoint adapter fitting 234 is coupled to drill pipe body 121. Tool jointadapter fitting 234 is fastened to drill pipe body 121, such as bywelding, so that a seal is formed therebetween.

It should be noted that drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 may be influid communication with each other through box tool joint 200 and tooljoint adapter 230. In particular, drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122may be in fluid communication with each other through tool joint adapterinternal hole 232 and box tool joint internal hole 202. In this way,material can flow between drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 throughtool joint adapter internal hole 232 and box tool joint internal hole202. As discussed in more detail above, tool joint adapter internal hole232 may extend through tool joint adapter 230, and box tool jointinternal hole 202 extends through box tool joint 200.

In this embodiment, sealing members 272 and 273 are coupled to sealingpin 235. In particular, sealing members 272 and 273 are carried bysealing pin 235 so they extend through seal grooves 236 a and 236 b,respectively, as shown in FIG. 13 c. Sealing members 272 and 273 can beof many different types, such as O-ring seals. It should be noted that,in some embodiments, tool joint adapter body 201 includes groovesopposed to seal grooves 236 a and 236 b. However, in other embodiments,such as the one indicated by an indication arrow 118 in FIG. 13 a, tooljoint adapter body 201 does not include grooves opposed to seal grooves236 a and 236 b.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 239 (FIG. 10 a) extends through box tooljoint body 201 (FIG. 9 a). In particular, faceted fitting 240 andsealing pin 235 extend through box tool joint body internal hole 202 andannular socket face 219 (FIGS. 9 c, 9 d and 13 b). Sealing pin 235extends through box tool joint body 201 so that a seal is formed inresponse to sealing members 272 and 273 sealingly engaging an innerperiphery of box tool joint body 201.

The embodiment of the faceted fitting 240 shown in FIGS. 10 a and 10 bextends through box tool joint body 201 so that faceted fitting 240faces faceted socket 210 (FIGS. 9 c and 9 d). In particular, facetedfitting 240 extends through box tool joint body 201 so that fittingfaces 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 248 face socket faces 211,212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217 and 218, respectively. In this embodiment,fitting faces 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 248 engage socketfaces 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217 and 218, respectively, so thatthe rotation of box tool joint 200 relative to tool joint adapter 230 isrestricted.

Furthermore, faceted fitting 240 extends through box tool joint body 201so that locking pin grooves 249 a and 249 b (FIGS. 10 a and 10 b) facelocking pin internal holes 225 a and 225 b (FIG. 9 d), respectively.Locking pin grooves 249 a and 249 b face locking pin internal holes 225a and 225 b, respectively, in response to fitting faces 241, 242, 243,244, 245, 246, 247 and 248 facing socket faces 211, 212, 213, 214, 215,216, 217 and 218, respectively.

In this embodiment, locking pin 270 a extends through locking pininternal hole 225 a and locking pin groove 249 a. In some situations,locking pin 270 a extends through locking pin internal hole 225 a andlocking pin groove 249 a in response to the locking pin extendingthrough locking pin hole opening 227 a. In some situations, locking pin270 a extends through locking pin internal hole 225 a and locking pingroove 249 a in response to the locking pin extend through locking pinhole opening 228 a.

The movement between tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint 200 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extending through lockingpin internal hole 225 a and locking pin groove 249 a. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint 200 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 225 a and locking pin groove 249 a.Locking pin 270 a may lock tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint 200together when the locking restricts the movement of tool joint adapter230 and box tool joint 200 away from each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 c, 9 d, 13 b and 13 c, fastener 271 aextends through fastener opening 226 a. Fastener 271 a extends throughfastener opening 226 a and engages locking pin 270 a. Fastener 271 aengages locking pin 270 a to restrict its movement through locking pininternal hole 225 a. In this way, locking pin 270 a is less likely toundesirably move through locking pin hole openings 227 a and 228 a andout of locking pin internal hole 225 a and locking pin groove 249 a. Themovement between tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint 200 is lesslikely to be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a moving out oflocking pin internal hole 225 a and locking pin groove 249 a. Hence, itis desirable to fasten locking pin 270 a in locking pin internal hole225 a and locking pin groove 249 a. Fastener 271 a can be of manydifferent types, such as a set screw. As shown in FIG. 13 b, fastener271 a is sunk into box tool joint body 201 so that it is less likely tobe sheared off.

In this embodiment, locking pin 270 b extends through locking pininternal hole 225 b and locking pin groove 249 b. In some situations,locking pin 270 b extends through locking pin internal hole 225 b andlocking pin groove 249 b in response to the locking pin extendingthrough locking pin hole opening 227 b. In some situations, locking pin270 b may extend through locking pin internal hole 225 b and locking pingroove 249 b in response to the locking pin extending through lockingpin hole opening 248 b.

The movement between tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint 200 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extending through lockingpin internal hole 225 b and locking pin groove 249 b. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint 200 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 225 b and locking pin groove 249 b.Locking pin 270 b locks tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint 200together when the locking pin restricts the movement of tool jointadapter 230 and box tool joint 200 away from each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 d and 13 c, fastener 271 b extendsthrough fastener opening 226 b. Fastener 271 b extends through fasteneropening 226 b and engages locking pin 270 b. Fastener 271 b engageslocking pin 270 b to restrict movement of the locking pin throughlocking pin internal hole 225 b. In this way, locking pin 270 b is lesslikely to undesirably move through locking pin hole openings 227 b and228 b and out of locking pin internal hole 225 b and locking pin groove249 b. The movement between tool joint adapter 230 and box tool joint200 is less likely to be restricted in response to locking pin 270 bmoving out of locking pin internal hole 225 b and locking pin groove 249b. Hence, it is desirable to fasten locking pin 270 b in locking pininternal hole 225 b and locking pin groove 249 b. Fastener 271 b can beof many different types, such as a set screw. Fastener 271 b can be sunkinto box tool joint body 201 so that it is less likely to be shearedoff.

FIG. 14 a is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of a drill string 100d that includes a tool assembly 108 d, wherein tool assembly 108 dincludes tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 coupled together,and FIGS. 14 b and 14 b are close-up views of drill string 100 d of FIG.14 a. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, drill pipe 120 iscoupled to pin tool joint 250. In particular, threaded pin 253 (FIG. 11a) is coupled to threaded box 123 (FIG. 3 a). Threaded pin 253 iscoupled to threaded box 123 so that pin threads 254 are threadinglyengaged with box threads 124 (FIG. 3 a).

Furthermore, drill pipe 110 may be coupled to tool joint adapter 280. Inthis embodiment, threaded pin 119 (FIG. 2 a) has been removed from drillpipe body 111 and replaced with tool joint adapter 280. In particular,threaded pin 119 has been removed from drill pipe body 111 and tooljoint adapter fitting 284 is coupled to drill pipe body 111. Tool jointadapter fitting 284 may be fastened to drill pipe body 111, such as bywelding, so that a seal is formed therebetween.

It should be noted that drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 may be influid communication with each other through pin tool joint 250 and tooljoint adapter 280. In particular, drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122may be in fluid communication with each other through tool joint adapterinternal hole 282 and pin tool joint internal hole 252. In this way,material can flow between drill pipe internal holes 112 and 122 throughtool joint adapter internal hole 282 and pin tool joint internal hole252. As discussed in more detail above, tool joint adapter internal hole282 may extend through tool joint adapter 280, and pin tool jointinternal hole 252 extends through pin tool joint 250.

In this embodiment, sealing members 272 and 273 are coupled to sealingpin 285. In particular, sealing members 272 and 273 are carried bysealing pin 285 so they extend through seal grooves 286 a and 286 b,respectively, as shown in FIG. 14 c. Sealing members 272 and 273 can beof many different types, such as O-ring seals. It should be noted that,in some embodiments, tool joint adapter body 251 includes groovesopposed to seal grooves 286 a and 286 b. However, in other embodiments,such as the one indicated by an indication arrow 119 in FIG. 14 a, tooljoint adapter body 201 does not include grooves opposed to seal grooves286 a and 286 b.

In this embodiment, faceted pin 289 (FIG. 12 a) extends through pin tooljoint body 251 (FIG. 11 a). In particular, faceted fitting 290 andsealing pin 285 extend through tool joint adapter internal hole 252 andannular socket face 269 (FIGS. 11 a and 14 b). Sealing pin 285 extendsthrough pin tool joint body 251 so that a seal is formed in response tosealing members 272 and 273 sealingly engaging an inner periphery of pintool joint body 251.

Faceted fitting 290 (FIGS. 12 a and 12 b) may extend through pin tooljoint body 251 so that faceted fitting 290 faces faceted socket 260 asshown in FIGS. 11 a and 11 b. In particular, faceted fitting 290 mayextend through pin tool joint body 251 so that fitting faces 291, 292,293, 294, 295, 296, 297 and 298 face socket faces 261, 262, 263, 264,265, 266, 267 and 268, respectively. In this embodiment, fitting faces291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297 and 298 engage socket faces 261, 262,263, 264, 265, 266, 267 and 268, respectively, so that the rotation ofpin tool joint 250 relative to tool joint adapter 280 is restricted.

Furthermore, faceted fitting 290 may extend through pin tool joint body251 so that locking pin grooves 299 a and 299 b (FIGS. 12 a and 12 b)face locking pin internal holes 275 a and 275 b (FIG. 11 b),respectively. Locking pin grooves 299 a and 299 b may face locking pininternal holes 275 a and 275 b, respectively, in response to fittingfaces 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297 and 298 facing socket faces 261,262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267 and 268, respectively.

In this embodiment, locking pin 270 a extends through locking pininternal hole 275 a and locking pin groove 299 a. In some situations,locking pin 270 a extends through locking pin internal hole 275 a andlocking pin groove 299 a in response to the locking pin extendingthrough locking pin hole opening 277 a. In some situations, locking pin270 a extends through locking pin internal hole 275 a and locking pingroove 299 a in response to the locking pin extending through lockingpin hole opening 278 a.

The movement between tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extending through lockingpin internal hole 275 a and locking pin groove 299 a. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 275 a and locking pin groove 299 a.Locking pin 270 a locks tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250together when the locking pin restricts the movement of tool jointadapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 away from each other.

In this embodiment, fastener 271 a extends through fastener opening 276a (FIGS. 11 a, 11 b, 14 b and 14 c). Fastener 271 a extends throughfastener opening 276 a and engages locking pin 270 a. Fastener 271 aengages locking pin 270 a to restrict its movement through locking pininternal hole 275 a. In this way, locking pin 270 a is less likely toundesirably move through locking pin hole openings 277 a and 278 a andout of locking pin internal hole 275 a and locking pin groove 299 a. Themovement between tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 is lesslikely to be restricted in response to locking pin 270 a moving out oflocking pin internal hole 275 a and locking pin groove 299 a. Hence, itis desirable to fasten locking pin 270 a in locking pin internal hole275 a and locking pin groove 299 a. Fastener 271 a can be of manydifferent types, such as a set screw. As shown in FIG. 14 b, fastener271 a is sunk into pin tool joint body 251 so that it is less likely tobe sheared off.

In this embodiment, locking pin 270 b extends through locking pininternal hole 275 b and locking pin groove 299 b. In some situations,locking pin 270 b extends through locking pin internal hole 275 b andlocking pin groove 299 b in response to the locking pin extendingthrough locking pin hole opening 277 b. In some situations, locking pin270 b extends through locking pin internal hole 275 b and locking pingroove 299 b in response to the locking pin extending through lockingpin hole opening 278 b.

The movement between tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 maybe restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extending through lockingpin internal hole 275 b and locking pin groove 299 b. In particular, themovement of tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 away from eachother may be restricted in response to locking pin 270 b extendingthrough locking pin internal hole 275 b and locking pin groove 299 b.Locking pin 270 b locks tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250together when it restricts the movement of tool joint adapter 280 andpin tool joint 250 away from each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 b and 14 c, fastener 271 b extendsthrough fastener opening 276 b. Fastener 271 b extends through fasteneropening 276 b and engages locking pin 270 b. Fastener 271 b engageslocking pin 270 b to restrict its movement through locking pin internalhole 275 b. In this way, locking pin 270 b is less likely to undesirablymove through locking pin hole openings 277 b and 278 b and out oflocking pin internal hole 275 b and locking pin groove 299 b. Themovement between tool joint adapter 280 and pin tool joint 250 is lesslikely to be restricted in response to locking pin 270 b moving out oflocking pin internal hole 275 b and locking pin groove 299 b. Hence, itis desirable to fasten locking pin 270 b in locking pin internal hole225 b and locking pin groove 249 b. Fastener 271 b can be of manydifferent types, such as a set screw. Fastener 271 b can be sunk intopin tool joint body 251 so that it is less likely to be sheared off.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b are perspective views of embodiments of locking pins270 c and 270 d, respectively. In this embodiment, locking pin 270 cincludes a locking pin body 274 that is cylindrical in shape. Lockingpin body 274 is cylindrical in shape because it includes a radialdimension that is constant along its length.

In this embodiment, locking pin 270 d includes a locking body portions274 a and 274 b, wherein locking pin portions 274 a and 274 b havedifferent radial dimensions. In this particular embodiment, the radialdimension of locking pin portion 274 a is less than the radial dimensionof locking pin portion 274 b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, theradial dimension of locking pin portion 274 b is greater than the radialdimension of locking pin portion 274 a. In this embodiment, locking pin270 d is a single integral piece so that locking portions 274 a and 274b are formed from a single piece of material.

FIGS. 15 c and 15 d are perspective views of embodiments of facetedfittings 220 a and 220 b, respectively, for receiving locking pins 270 cand 270 d, respectively. It should be noted that faceted fittings 220 aand 220 b can be included with the faceted pins discussed herein, suchas faceted pins 158, 198, 239 and 289.

In this embodiment, faceted fitting 220 a includes a locking pininternal hole 221 a having a constant radial dimension along its length.The radial dimension of locking pin internal hole 221 a may be selectedto match the radial dimension of locking pin 270 c (FIG. 15 a). Lockingpin internal hole 221 a extends through a fitting face 222, whereinfitting face 222 can correspond to fitting faces 161, 162, 181, 182,241, 242, 291 and 292. It should be noted that fitting face 222 may alsocorrespond to any of the other fitting faces discussed herein. Lockingpin internal hole 221 a also extends through fitting faces 223 and 224,wherein fitting faces 223 and 224 extend at angles from fitting face222.

In this embodiment, fitting face 220 b includes locking pin internalholes 221 a and 221 b adjacent to each other. The radial dimension oflocking pin internal hole 221 a is less than the radial dimension oflocking pin internal hole 221 b. Furthermore, according to thisembodiment, the radial dimension of locking pin internal hole 221 b isgreater than the radial dimension of locking pin internal hole 221 a. Inthis embodiment, the radial dimension of locking pin internal hole 221 ais selected to match the radial dimension of locking pin portion 274 a(FIG. 15 b). Further, the radial dimension of locking pin internal hole221 b is chosen to match the radial dimension of locking pin portion 274b (FIG. 15 b). It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the radialdimension of the corresponding locking pin internal hole is also chosento match the radial dimensions of locking pin portions 274 a and 274 b.Examples of locking pin internal holes that can have radial dimensionsthat match the radial dimensions of locking pin portions 274 a and 274 binclude locking pin internal holes 135 a, 135 b, 225 a, 225 b, 275 a and275 b.

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b are embodiments of faceted sockets 125 a and 125 b,respectively, which include one and two facets, respectively. It shouldbe noted that faceted sockets 125 a and 125 b can be included with thetool joint adapters, box tool joint and pin tool joints discussedherein, such as tool joint adapter 130, box tool joint 200 and pin tooljoint 250.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 a includes tool joint adapterbody 131 with tool joint adapter internal hole 132 extendingtherethrough. Faceted socket 125 a includes locking pin internal hole135 a and locking pin hole openings 137 a and 138 a, as well as fasteneropening 136, which are described in more detail above.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 a includes socket face 141,wherein locking pin internal hole 135 a is proximate to socket face 141.In particular, in this embodiment, locking pin internal hole 135 aextends through socket face 141. Locking pin internal hole 135 a opensinto tool joint adapter internal hole 132. Socket face 141 is discussedin more detail above, and shown in FIG. 4 d. Socket face 141 may be aflat face, and typically is not a curved face.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 a includes a curved socket face126 that extends around an inner periphery of tool joint adapter body131 and between opposed ends of socket face 141. Socket face 126 is acurved face and is not a flat face like socket face 141. In this way,faceted socket 125 a includes one flat socket face, which corresponds tosocket face 141. Socket 125 a is a faceted socket because it includessocket face 126.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 b includes tool joint adapterbody 131 with tool joint adapter internal hole 132 extendingtherethrough. Faceted socket 125 b includes locking pin internal hole135 a and locking pin hole openings 137 a and 138 a, as well as fasteneropening 136, which are described in more detail above. Further, facetedsocket 125 b includes locking pin internal hole 135 b and locking pinhole openings 137 b and 138 b, as well as fastener opening 136, whichare described in more detail above.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 b includes socket face 141,wherein locking pin internal hole 135 a is proximate to socket face 141.In particular, locking pin internal hole 135 a extends through socketface 141. Locking pin internal hole 135 a opens into tool joint adapterinternal hole 132. Socket face 141 is discussed in more detail above,and shown in FIG. 4 d. Socket face 141 is a flat face, and is not acurved face.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 b includes socket face 142,wherein locking pin internal hole 135 b is proximate to socket face 142.In particular, locking pin internal hole 135 b extends through socketface 142. Locking pin internal hole 135 b opens into tool joint adapterinternal hole 132. Socket face 142 is discussed in more detail above,and shown in FIG. 4 d. Socket face 142 is a flat face, and is not acurved face.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 b includes curved socket face 126which extends around an inner periphery of tool joint adapter body 131and between ends of socket faces 141 and 142. Socket face 126 is acurved face and is not a flat face like socket face 141.

In this embodiment, faceted socket 125 b includes curved socket face 127that extends around an inner periphery of tool joint adapter body 131and between ends of socket faces 141 and 142. Socket face 127 is acurved face and is not a flat face like socket face 141. In this way,faceted socket 125 b includes two flat socket faces, which correspond tosocket faces 141 and 142. Socket 125 b is a faceted socket because itincludes socket faces 126 and 127.

FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of the replaceable pin end tool joint 170,locking pin 270, tool joint adapter 130 and main drill pipe body 120.FIG. 17 a illustrates a close-up view of the locking pin engaging thetool joint adapter and the replaceable pin end tool joint. Asillustrated in FIG. 17 a, the tool joint adapter and the replaceable pinend tool joint may each include a groove having a semi-circularcross-section. By having the pin engage both the replaceable pin endtool joint and the tool joint adapter helps to ensure that thereplaceable pin end tool joint and the tool joint adapter are firmlyassembled together and shouldered up by the locking pin. Such aconnection between the replaceable pin end tool joint and the tool jointadapter can help to ensure that a pulldown load on the structure isdistributed on both the locking pin and the shoulder of the tool jointadapter.

The outer surface of the tool joints and/or tool joint adapter mayinclude treatments, coatings and/or elements to enhance durability. Forexample, the outer surface of the tool joints and/or tool joint adaptermay include hardfacings to minimize O.D. wear and prolong the servicelife for both tool joints and main drill pipe body. The locking pins,locking pin holes, polygon pins and polygon boxes may also includetreatments, coatings and/or elements to enhance durability. For example,a manganese phosphate conversion coating and related post treatment maybe utilizes to create thin corrosion resistance layer on the surface oflocking pins, locking pin holes, polygon pins, and/or polygon boxes.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17A, the semi-circular groove on thereplaceable pin end tool joint is slightly higher than the half-moongroove on the tool joint adapter. The close sliding fit may be made uponce the locking pin is arranged in place. The close sliding fit cancreate upward forces on the shoulder of the tool joint adapter anddownward forces on the shoulder of the replaceable pin end tool joint.Forces on the joint between the replaceable pin end tool joint and thetool joint adapter are indicated by arrows 400. The connection shoulderscan allow for a compression load to be transferred from the replaceablepin end tool joint to the main drill pipe body.

Advantages of embodiments of the invention can include shortening arepair time for a drill pipe. Embodiments of the invention can alsosignificantly decrease repair cost for a drill pipe. Reducing repairtime and cost can increase profit by increasing available drilling timeand decreasing time and cost of repair. Embodiments of the invention canalso permit worn tool joints to be replaced at a remote drilling siteusing only common tools, such as a hummer, punch pin, Allen key, and/orangle grinder, among other tools. Additionally, embodiments of theinvention can promotes environmentally sustainable manufacturingprocesses because of less fuel is consumed in shipping products awayfrom remote sites to be repaired. Furthermore, embodiments of theclaimed invention can reduce welding smoke, water used to clean up useddrill pipes, and contaminated water produced.

The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes thepresent invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes onlythe preferred embodiments of the invention, but as aforementioned, it isto be understood that the invention is capable of use in various othercombinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changesor modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressedherein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or the skill orknowledge of the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove arefurther intended to explain best modes known of practicing the inventionand to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention insuch, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications requiredby the particular applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly,the description is not intended to limit the invention to the formdisclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims beconstrued to include alternative embodiments.

1. A drill pipe assembly, comprising: a drill pipe body; first andsecond tool joint adapters coupled to the drill pipe body; a replaceablepin tool joint coupled to the first tool joint adapter; and areplaceable box tool joint coupled to the second tool joint adapter;wherein the first and second tool joint adapters are welded to the drillpipe body, and wherein the replaceable pin end tool joint and thereplaceable box end tool joint are detachably coupled to the drill pipebody.
 2. A tool assembly, comprising: a tool joint adapter; a tool jointcoupled to the tool joint adapter through a faceted pin, wherein thefaceted pin includes a faceted fitting having a fitting face; a dowelpin which extends through the tool joint adapter and tool joint, whereinthe dowel pin extends through a dowel pin groove of the fitting face. 3.The assembly of claim 2, wherein the tool joint and tool joint adapterare coupled together through a faceted socket engaged with the facetedpin.
 4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the dowel pin extends through adowel pin channel which faces the dowel pin groove.
 5. The assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the faceted pin includes a sealing pin which forms aseal between the tool joint and tool joint adapter.
 6. The assembly ofclaim 2, wherein a locking sleeve body and a second drill rod tool jointinclude inner and outer race regions, respectively, which face eachother.
 7. The assembly of claim 2, further including a fastener whichfastens the dowel pin in the dowel pin groove.
 8. The assembly of claim2, wherein the faceted pin includes a plurality of fitting faces.
 9. Theassembly of claim 2, wherein the faceted pin includes a curved fittingface.
 10. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the faceted pin is includedwith the tool joint adapter.
 11. The assembly of claim 2, wherein thefaceted pin is included with the tool joint.
 12. The assembly of claim2, wherein the tool joint is a pin tool joint.
 13. The assembly of claim12, wherein the pin tool joint includes a threaded pin.
 14. The assemblyof claim 13, wherein the faceted pin is included with the pin tooljoint.
 15. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the tool joint is a box tooljoint.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the box tool joint includesa threaded box.
 17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the faceted pin isincluded with the box tool joint.
 18. The assembly of claim 2, wherein alocking sleeve body and a second drill pipe tool joint include inner andouter race regions, respectively, which face each other.
 19. Theassembly of claim 2, further comprising: a fastener which fastens alocking pin in a locking pin groove.
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled) 22.(canceled)
 23. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the faceted pin isincluded with the tool joint.
 24. The assembly of claim 2, wherein thetool joint is a pin tool joint.
 25. The assembly of claim 24, whereinthe pin tool joint includes a threaded pin.
 26. The assembly of claim24, wherein the faceted pin is included with the pin tool joint.
 27. Theassembly of claim 2, wherein the tool joint is a box tool joint.
 28. Theassembly of claim 27, wherein the box tool joint includes a threadedbox.
 29. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the faceted pin is includedwith the box tool joint.